Margaret Bernie, 34, was last seen at her home in Mount Gambier in January 1988.
A cold case search for the remains of a South Australian woman who disappeared almost 40 years ago has been reignited, with detectives scouring a large property in the state’s south-east.

On January 23, 1988, 34-year-old Margaret Bernie vanished from her residence in Mount Gambier.

Her disappearance went unnoticed until February 10 of the same year, when her sister reported her missing, having not heard from her for several weeks.

Margaret Bernie, 34, was last seen at her home in Mount Gambier in January 1988.
Margaret Bernie, 34, was last seen at her home in Mount Gambier in January 1988. (Nine)

Authorities suspect that Margaret was a victim of homicide.

In a renewed effort to solve the case, detectives and local SES volunteers have turned their attention to a residence on Burnda Street in Compton, situated to the west of Mount Gambier.

Search teams are dedicating today and tomorrow to meticulously combing through the one-square-kilometer property, revisiting evidence compiled in this longstanding cold case.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke expressed his belief that there are individuals within the Mount Gambier and South-East community who possess information about Margaret’s fate.

“We would encourage those people to come forward and speak with police,” he said.